Stoker



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L. v R. sToWE STOKER Filed July l, 1920 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 Patented Jan. 6, 1925.

UNITED'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOYD RICHARD STOWE, ST. LOUIS,v MISSOURI.

STOKER.

Application led July 1, 1920. Serial No. 393,265.

To all whom it may cof/wem.' sections being capable of being elevated Be it known that I, LoYD RICHARD STOWE, into the fuel bed for the purpose of rea citizen of the UnitedA States, residing at tarding the .fuel and buildin up the fuel 5611 Enright Avenue, St. Louis, in the bed adjacent the discharge en of the grate. State of4 Missouri, have invented certain The Stoker of the present invention emnew and useful Improvements in Stokers, bodies a sectional construction which perof which the following is a speclficatlon. mits the extension thereof laterally to any This invention relates to improvements desired width. The movable grate bar ele- 6o in stokers for boiler furnaces andthe like ments in different sections of the grate area and its purpose is to'provide adevice capaare arranged to be operated in groups by ble of more convenient operation and of suitable actuating mechanism controlled eecting a more efficient combustion of the from the outside of the furnace so that the fuel. grate bar elements in any selected area of 65 In the operation of stokers it has been the grate may be adjusted to secure the found that the tendency for the formation desired degree of thickening or retardaof clinkers and the amount and distribution of the fuel." tion of air necessary for a proper combus- A further important feature of the intion of the fuel vary according to the fuel vention is the provision of improved means 70 being used. More particularly it has been for vfeeding air to the underside of the found that it is important to vary the a1r grate and sealing the lower end ofv the .supply in different parts of the area of grate to prevent leakage of air therethe grate in order to effect an even burnthrough from the compressed air chamber ing of the fuel and a complete combustion to the ash pit or around the lower end of 75 thereof before it reaches the discharge end the grate. This is accomplished by proof the grate. These results are brought viding sealing devices for closing the` spaces about in the present invention by grate around the lower return stretches of the mechanism adapted to maintain the 'posimovale chains andthere is combined with tive feed of the fuelan'd to permit the dethe s aling devices an intermediate atmos- 8o sired regulation and variation of the iow pheric air chamber which prevents theleakof air through the grate in different parts age of air from the compressed air chamof the grate area. v ber to the ash pit from which it might oth- An important feature of 4this improved erwise leak into the furnace and carry heat Stoker is the combination of movable chain from the furnace space resulting in a fur- 85 grate elements with stationary orrnonpronace loss. l gressive grate bars, each of whichl is locat- Other objects and advantages of the ined between two of t-he chains. These grate vention, as well as those abovev set forth, bai-s are preferably in the form of blocks will be more fully understood from a study containing tuyres through which a part of the following specification taken with 90 of the air necessary for the combustionof the accompanying drawings in which one the fuel is fed upwardly through the grate. embodiment is illustrated. i A further object of the invention is to pro.- I 'In the drawings vide a sectional construction 'of these Figure L shows a longitudinal sectional tuyres-or tuyre-blocks which .permits review through the walls of a boiler furnace '95 placement and interchangeablllty thereOf showing a side elevation of my improved in order to vary the air spaces of-thetuyre Stoker; blocks to suit the fuel being burned and to- -Fig 2 shows a transverse sectional view eii'ect the proper distribution of the Vair on the line 2 2 o f `Fig. l looking in the throughout the area of the fuel bed. A'fur- `direction of the arrows; y 100 ther important object of the invention is Fig. 3 howsalongitudinal sectional view to provide movable tuyre-blocks or grate on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, the lower run of bar sections located preferably toward the chain anda portion of the front run there-` lower end of the grate, these tuyre lilockof being broken' away for clearness;

Fig. l4 shows an enlarged sectional view similar to that of Fig. 3, showing only the upper portion of the rate andthe operating mechanism associated therewith, the chains being omitted for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged longitudinal section on the line3--3 of Fig. 1, this view being a continuation of Fig. 4 and illusvtrating only the lower portion of the grate;

Fig. 6 shows a transverse sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

' Fig. 7 shows an enlarged plan View of a portion of the grate surface; v

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged plan view of one of the sectionaltuyre-block supports used in the upper part of the grate;

Fig. 9 shows a side elevation of the tuyreblock supports illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 shows a longitudinal sectional view on the line 10-10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 shows a transverse sectional view on the line 11-11 of Fig. 8; l

Fig. 12 shows a top plan view of one of the intermediate sectional tuyere-block supports;

Fig. 13 shows a side elevation of the tuyre-block support illustrated in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 shows a longitudinal sectionaly view on the line 1li- 14 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 shows a transverse sectional view on the line 15-15xof Fi 12;

Y Fig. 16 shows a top p an .view of one of the sectional supports for the stationary tuyre-blocks adjacent the lower end of the gmt?,

Fig. 17 shows aside elevation of the tuyre-block support illustrated in Fig. 16; Fig. 18 shows a bottom plan view-of tle tuyere-block support illustrated in Fig. 16; Fig. 19 shows an end elevation of the tuyre-block support lookingtoward the right, as viewed in Fig. 16;

Fig. 20 shows an end elevation of the tuyre-block support, looking toward the left in Fig. 16;

Fig. 21 shows a sectional view of the tuyire-blocksupport on'the line 21-21 of Fi 17; Lg.' 2 2 shows an enlarged transverse section view on the line 22-22 of Fig. 4, showing the construction of the tuyre-block sections and the chains mounted between them, shutters which Ycontrol draft through lie chain grate Alinks being shown in posiV ion; Y v

Fi 2 3 shows a lan view of a chain and one of the tuyrelock sections illustrated s in F' .22 f

Fig 24 showsalongitudinal sectional view on the line 24.-24 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 25 showsmtransverse sectional view Fig. 26Y shows a longitudinal sectional Maisie ing the construction of one of the actuating brackets byl which the lower movable tuyreblock sections are supported;

Fig. 27 shows a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 26, illustrating another form of supporting bracket employed to support the other movable tuyre-block sections in the same group withl the one supported by the bracket illustrated in Fig. 26, each group of brackets being actuated by a single bracket of the form illustrated in Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 shows a bottom view of one of the rocking tuyre-blocks employed at the lower end of the grate;

Fig. 29 shows an end elevation of one of -the rocking tuyre-blocks, Alooking toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 28;

the rocking tuyre-blocks oii the line 30-30 H of Fig. 28;

Fig. 31 shows a section through one of the tuyre-blocks on the line 31-31 of Fig. 28;

Fig. 32 shows a top plan view of cone of the supports for the rocking tuyre-blocks;

AFig. 33 shows an end elevation of the rocking tuyre-block support illustrated in Figs. 26 and 32; f

Fig. 34 shows a sectional view on the line 34-34 of Fig. 32;

Fig. 35 shows a side elevation of one of the brackets by which the rocker shafts of the'movable tuyr'e-blocks are supported;

Fig. 36 shows anV end elevation of the bracket illustrated in Fig. 35;

Fig. 37 shows a sectional view on the line 37--37 of Fig. 35; A Y

Fig. 38 shows an end 'elevation of a group of sealing devices by which the spaces around the lower stretches of the movable chains are closed;

Fig. 39 shows a. longitudinal sectional view on the line 39-39 of Fig. 38; v

Fig. 40 shows a top plan view of the devices illustrated-'in Fig. 39; and l Fig. 41 shows a transverse sectional view Aoii the line 41-41 ofFig. 39. y

comprises a Igrate designated generally by thenumeralr-30. vThis grate is mounted in an inclined position between the side walls 31 of the furnace and. beneath the furnace As illustrated in the drawings, the Stoker Y arch 32, these parts forming' the combus- Vseparated by the air sealing mechanism, Vhereinafter described, from the ash pit 38 into which the ash is discharged through the lower endof the grate.. The intermediate wall 42 and a vertically movable gate`43 byV which the discharge openingof the hopper -is regulated. f

The supporting structure of the grate and its actuating mechanism comprises two side fra-mes 44 and one or more center frames 45,

the number of the center frames depending" upon the width to which the grate is extended. The side frames preferably rest directly upon the foundation of the stoken and are formed in sections 44, 44h, and 44C. The center frame is similarly formed in a number of complementary sections 45a, 45h, and 45C, which are secured together. The lower section 45c rests directly on the foundation, as illustrated in Fig. 3 and the upper sections 45a and 45b are supportedby posts 46 which extend downwardly to the found'a* tion.

The side frames 44 and the center frame 45 have fixed therein at their lower ends a transverse shaft 48 upon which are journalled a plurality 'of idler wheels 49 spaced apart and adapted to support the grate chains 50. These grate chains are mounted at their upper ends on sprocket gears 51 which are secured to a driving shaft 52. This shaft is journalled in bearings 53 supported by the side vframes and a bearing 54 supported by the center frame. The bearings 53 are adapted to slide in slots 55 which are formed inthe Aupper portions 44a of the frame members and they are connected to screw threaded adjusting rods 56 which engage plate 57 on the front wall of the furnace. The outerends 56a of these rods' may be operated to adjust the positions of the bearings 53 and thereby regulate the degree of tension in the chains 50. The intermediate bearing 54 is supported on a curved support 58 formed on the center frame and is adapted to be moved theon `by another screw threaded adjusting rod 59 which extends outwardly through the front wall of the stoker.

In the embodiment illustrated, the driving mechanism is connected to each end of the shaft 52. This driving mechanism comprises a pair of large driving gears 60 which are secured to the shaft and driven by pinions 61 fixed on an intermediate 'shaft 62. This shaft 62 is journalled in bearings 63 carried by the side frames 44, and is actuated by a gear 64 secured to one end thereof. This gear is in turn driven by a pinion 65 secured on ai shaft 66 which is journalled in bearings. 67 carried by the side frames.

The shaft 66 has a ratchet wheel 68 secured thereon and adapted to be actuated by a pawl 69 mounted on an oscillatory arm 0 which is pivoted on the shaft. This arm may be oscilla-ted by any desired mechanism in order to rotate the ratchet wheel. .The reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel is prevented by a pivoted detent 7l. Ahousing 72 is secured tothe side frame and incloses the upper portion of the gearing mechanism' at the side of the stoker. One end of the shaft 66 extends through the housing 72 and isk l provided with a squared portion 73 which may be engaged by a wrench to permit the manual operating of the chains for purposes of adjustment when desired. At the other side of the stoker the shaft 66 is provided with a pulley 74 which is connected through a belt 75 to another pulley 76, mounted on the lower .shaft 77.4 This lower shaft is journalled in bearings 78 carried by the side frame members and is adapted to actuate the movable grate bar elements in the manner hereinafter described. v

Each grate chain 50 is made up of four series of links 80. These links are arranged side by side v with those of the two outer series overlapping -those of the two inner series, and these overlapping links are con? nected by pivot pins 8l in order to form a flexible grate element. The links 80 are provided with grooves 82 therethrough to form air spaces through which air passes from the chamber 37 into -the l,fuel bed. The' adjacent surfaces of the two inner rows of links are cut away on their undersides to form openings for the teeth of the idler Wheels` 49 and the gears 5l, heretofore described, and these teeth coact with bushings mounted on the pivot pins 8l vduring the 3 travel of thechains. The chains 50 are located between the grate bars or tuyre-blocks 85 through which air is supplied to the fuel bed. These grate bars are formed in sections 85f, 85h, 85C, 85d, 85e, Sf, and are carried by the v supports 86 which are also formed in sections 86a, 86", 36', 'and 86d.

The upper sections 85a of the grate bars are tions of ythe tuyre-block supports are gen erally similar in construction but vary slightly in design in different parts of the grate area.

The upper sections 86"L are of thel form illustrated particularly in Figs. 8, 49, f 10, and 11, where it will beseen that each `out the upward extension 96.

member comprises side bars 89 connected by the end members 90 and by transverse webs 91. A central rib 92 is carried by the webs 91 midway betweenthe side 'members 89 and projects upwardly abone the side members, being provided withv laterally extending lugs 93 through which an interlocking connection is made with the tuyre-block section 85a. Apertures 94 are provided through the sectional tuyvre-block and dead-plate l'support 86a to receive the bolts 88. Reinforcing anges 95 are formed on the underside of the side walls 89 to prevent downward bending of the tuyre-block support. It will be observed that the section 86a comprises a forwardlyv projecting part 96 which extends above the upper I-beam 87. This project-V ing portion comprises side walls 96*L and an end wall 96" with an intermediate opening 97 between them. The next adjacent sections 85" and 85c of the tuyre-block sup; ports are of the form illustrated in Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15, each of theseparts being substantially similar to the ,section 86a withl The central web 92 of eaeh'sectional support 86b and 86 has lugs 93 projecting therefrom and is carried by the transverse webs 91 which are formed integrally with the side walls 89. The ends ot the sections 86b and 86c are provided with projections 99 having apertures 100 therethrough to receive the bolts 88.

The lowermost section 86d of each tuyreblock support is generally similar to the other members, as shown in Figs. 16 to 21 inclusive, except that itis curved upwardly toward its lower end to conform to the general upward curvature of the chains and of the frame members at the lower end of the grate, which curvature is provided in order to effect a retardation of the fuel for vthe purpose of building up the 'fuel bed adjacent the bridge wall. The side walls 101 of each section 86d are formed integrally with the transverse webs 102 which extend later- 'ally from the central rib 103. This central rib is formed at VVits lower end with an Vend wall 104 having an apertured lug 105 projecting therefrom to rest upon the transverse -chann'el member 106 to which it is secured adapted 1 to support the dead-plate and tuyre-block sections 85, 85", 85, etc. The

tuyre-block sections comprise sidel wallsv ,110 which extend upwardly above'the .ribs 91 and these side wallsV are united by a plurality of inclined lwebs or plates 111 which are curved in cross section and increased inv thickness toward their upper edges, asiil- Y lustrated invFigs. 4: and 5. The intervening openings0112 thus j* flare downwardly and- Leai e141.

the inclination of the webs or plates taken are formed through *the upper. wall. -The upper wall is provided along its lateral 'edges with longitudinal grooves 115 which are adapted to catch the ne dust ofA the fuel and prevent the ventrance thereof into the spaces between the tuyre-block sections 180 and the adjacent-chains 50. The side walls 110 are slightly recessed in the lower parts thereof, as shown at'110a in order to provide some clearance between the tuyreblock sections and the chains exceptY in the immediate .region of the upper grate surface. The tuyre-blocks 85 may be formed in any desired number of sections which are detachably secured to the tuyre-block sup-V ports. Y 85a which lie immediately beneath the disxcharge opening of the fuel hopper comprise solid uppeal walls 117 extending between'side walls 118 and ,these wallsr are 4united adjacent the uppercends by a downwardly exj tending plate 119 which is secured to the upper end wall 96h of the adjacent tuyreblock support by means of a bolt 120., Each tuyre-block section is provided at its lower end with a projecting lug or flange 122 100 which is adapted to underlie a projecting tongue 123 formed on the upper end of the next adjacent section. In addition to this interlocking means'the side walls 110 and 118 of the grate bar sections are provided 105 with downwardly extending hooks 125 adapted to interlock withLthe lugs'93 formed on the tuyre-block supports. These hook members 125 are passed into position by a downward movement of the tuyre-block i;

section arid they serve to support all of the tuyre-block sections against movement due to the contact of the. chains and the fuel therewith. Some slil ht lateral movement of the tuyre-block sections may be permitted M5 in'order to compensate for some irregularity in the construction and movement of the chains. The lowermost stationary tuyreblock section is similar to the others except that it is curvedupwardly to conform to the iso vcontour ofits support, as shown 1n Flg. 5.

With the exception of the upper and lower sections, all of the tuyresblock sections are adapted to be interchanged with each other U and the u per and lower sections can be re-y las placed with 'others having different air spaccs,'thevdierence inthe air spaces being effected by changing the sizes of the openings 114 and the spaces 112. These openings are in fact varied by changing the thickness 713@ The upper ends of the 70 The uppermost grate bar sections 90 

